We provide clients with resources and connect them with providers to secure the business capital needed to launch and expand.
Services to Fund Your Business
We work with numerous reputable providers, including many local firms, to get you the funding and protection your business needs. We weave funding into your long-term financial strategy. A consultation is necessary to determine the best fit for your business.
Business Finance Fundamentals
Business Credit & Lending
Grants, Investment & Cash
Business Finance 101
As you start, manage, and grow a business, you want to devise a finance strategy while putting as much space as possible between your personal and business funds. We provide the foundational information needed to start on the best path.
Understanding Funding Sources
The four primary funding sources are grants, credit, investment, and cash. You will want to work toward an ideal financing mix of debt and equity based on your industry. The ‘best’ mix is a moving target that changes with your growth phase, economic conditions, tax policy, etc.—underscoring the importance of forecasting, tracking, and having an advisor to guide you.
Funding Prerequisites
Before applying for any funding, you’ll want to ensure your business is properly registered with a valid Tax ID and cover a few other important bases.
Open a Business Account
You’ll need a separate business bank account. Novo is a small business checking account solution designed specifically for SBOs. The account is free with no minimum balance, no hidden costs, and their debit card can be used at any ATM with unlimited fee refunds. Get a $40 bonus when you sign up through us.
Establish a D-U-N-S Number
To create a business credit profile, you should apply for a free D-U-N-S number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), a major business credit reporting agency.
Have a Business Plan
To secure any type of outside funding, you will want to have an impressive plan showcasing why a lender, investor, or grant approver should choose you.
Business Credit & Lending
Consider Personal Credit as apples and Business Credit as oranges. There are some broad similarities, but a lot of differences. You’ll want to understand the key distinctions.
SBA Lending
Many businesses are not shy about leveraging credit as part of their financial strategy because, unlike most consumer debt, the interest paid is often tax deductible.We suggest looking at SBA resources, particularly SBA Microloans, as a starting point. Realizing this is not an available option for everyone, it is still a good place to educate yourself. SBOs should be careful as those just starting out often rely on personal guarantees to establish business credit, which can impact personal finances. Try to avoid using personal credit to the extent possible.
Revolving Lines
There are many revolving credit lines marketed to small business. Not all help to build business credit. We have done a lot of comparison.
We use and recommend the Capital One Spark Credit Card because you benefit with:
• 0% interest for the first year
• 1.5% cash back on purchases
• $0 Annual Fee
• Additonal Savings with Capital One Shopping & CreditWise
• Reporting to D&B to help build business credit
Grants
Grants are the gold standard for business funding- providing money that doesn’t need to be paid back from local, state, and federal governments (.gov entities). Corporate, community and private foundations also make many grants available. Contrary to popular belief, few solely cover start-up costs or daily operations. Rather you often must leverage your skills to support specific economic and community development priorities. Certain industries benefit more than others. Veterans and members of some historically marginalized communities may qualify for targeted grants.
Grants are the most time-consuming option requiring a great deal of research, but are worth it! We found a well-rated, established private company, USGrants.org, that makes the research and application process faster and easier. They charge a small fee when applying for the use of their platform. Just be aware that some come with strings attached by way of specific requirements you must adhere to.
Investors
SBOs can be hard pressed to find investors when first starting out as most professional service providers are part of mature, saturated industries. One may find it worthwhile to ask someone in their network or a local business person they know if they are willing to invest. One online service that can be worthwhile is EquityNet, a crowdfunding platform that helps get your plan in front of accredited investors. If you do find an investor, the upside is you are using someone else’s money you aren’t obligated to pay back like a loan. The downside is you generally have to give up some autonomy and give them an ownership stake in your company as they are expecting a return for the risk they are taking.
Cash
By cash we mean money on deposit from contributions, sales, and other receipts. Any cash you put into the business is considered your capital contribution. We recommend holding onto as much of your cash as you can for as long as you can. Many people just starting out use personal savings to start their business. That money can be stretched further and put to better use later. Grants are virtually free government or corporate money, credit is the bank’s money, and outside investment is another person’s money. Many businesses do what they can to hold onto their cash as “cash is king”. They invest it for a profit, and make liberal use of the other finance sources. You should follow suit.